4 free Blue Ridge Parkway events near Asheville

by Dryridgeinn on August 14, 2014

Staff reports 9:58 a.m. EDT August 13, 2014

(Photo: Bill Sanders/Citizen-Times file photo )

ASHEVILLE – Families and hikers can participate in four free Blue Ridge Parkway events in the next 10 days. For any of the hikes, bring water, wear good walking shoes, and be prepared for changeable weather.

To register or learn more about any of these events, call 298-5330, ext. 304. Preregistration required for Family Night; walk-ups OK for the hikes.

• Blue Ridge Parkway After Hours Hike: “Water Knows No Boundaries.” Join Parkway rangers at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 for a short, easy hike along a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trailand and learn about water resources. Meet at Milepost 391, two miles south of the U.S. 25 intersection at the dirt parking area on the east side of the Parkway.

• Blue Ridge Parkway Hike of the Week: “Walking the Big Butt to Point Misery.” Meet at 10 a.m. Aug. 15th for a moderate, 3.2-mile round trip hike on the Big Butt Trail to Point Misery. Learn how changing forest habitat affects high elevation wildlife. Meet at the Walker Knob Overlook at Milepost 359.8.

• Blue Ridge Parkway After Hours Hike: “You, Too, Can Be a Naturalist!” Join Parkway rangers at 7 p.m. Aug. 21 to discover your inner naturalist as you take a short hike and photograph plants to identify. Parkway rangers will offer tips and help identify the plants. Meet at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at Milepost 384. Bring a camera or smart phone.

• Blue Ridge Parkway Hike of the Week: Sam Knob. Join Parkway rangers at 10 a.m. Aug. 22 for a moderate to strenuous 2.5-mile roundtrip hike to the summit of Sam Knob. Come learn about wilderness areas and the species that live there while taking in the spectacular views. Meet at the Black Balsam parking area at the end of the Black Balsam Road (FR 816), just south of Milepost 420. Bring a snack.